Characteristics of pulsed lasing due to atomic transitions in barium

Pulsed lasing at the atomic barium wavelength of 1.13 and 1.5 μ in a 25-mm diameter, 85-cm long discharge tube. The input power reached 2.S kW for pump-pulse repetition frequencies of 8 and 13.3 kHz. The average laser output power was investigated as a function of the buffer gas pressure and the input power. The spectral and temporal characteristics were studied. A maximum average laser output power of 12.5 W was obtained at an efficiency of 0.5%; the maximum efficiency achieved was 0.72%.